Drone Safety Rules in Sri Lanka

CAASL's guidance places clear responsibilities on the operator before take-off. Check the drone's condition before each flight and read the conditions stipulated in your CAASL approval. Do not modify the drone unless the change is approved by the manufacturer, and operate within the performance limits in the manufacturer's instructions.

Familiarise yourself with the operating area, check the limitations CAASL has defined for it, and check the weather. Wind, rain and heat all affect drone performance, and Sri Lanka's coastal wind and monsoon seasons deserve genuine respect in flight planning.

The core in-flight rules published by CAASL are the following.

• Keep the drone in sight at all times
• Maintain a safe distance from people, animals and other aircraft
• Do not overfly people or assemblies of people
• Do not fly near airports, helipads or ongoing emergency response efforts
• Do not fly over sensitive or protected sites such as prisons, military bases and power plants
• Do not use the drone to carry goods and do not drop items
• Do not record people without their permission

If your drone is involved in an accident that results in a serious or fatal injury to a person, or that affects a manned aircraft, CAASL requires you to inform the local police and CAASL immediately, and to file a Mandatory Occurrence Report using form CAA/AS/018. Keeping the registration certificate and approval documentation with you during operations makes this process, and any inspection, far simpler.

Lithium batteries are the most common cause of drone-related fires. Store and charge batteries away from flammable material, never charge unattended damaged packs, and follow airline rules when travelling: lithium batteries belong in carry-on baggage, not checked luggage. In Sri Lanka's heat, avoid leaving batteries in parked vehicles or direct sun.